The Beehive Cluster is an open cluster in the constellation Cancer. It is one of the nearest open … [+]
Each Monday I pick out the northern hemisphere’s celestial highlights (mid-northern latitudes) for the week ahead, but be sure to check my main feed for more in-depth articles on stargazing, astronomy, eclipses and more.
What To See In The Night Sky This Week: March 13-19, 2023
This week is a fine week for stargazing. With the Moon waning towards Last Quarter it leaves the night skies dark enough to pick out the stars of spring—evidence that the equinox is coming next week.
Here’s what to see in the night sky this week:
Monday, March 13: Moon and Antares
This morning before dawn look to the southeast and you’ll see a 55%-lit waning gibbous Moon just 1.6° from red supergiant star Antares, the brightest star in the constellation of Sagittarius.
Look west in the early hours of Monday, March 13, 2023 to see the Moon and Antares.
Tuesday, March 14: Last Quarter Moon
Last Quarter Moon—the moment when our satellite is 50% lit as it wanes from being a full Moon—is a great time to look for the Moon during the day. That’s because it rises at midnight and sets at noon. The Moon rises and sets about 50 minutes later each night, so for the rest of this week look west for the Moon in the early afternoon.
Sunday, March 19, 2023: Moon and Saturn
Sunday, March 19: Moon and Saturn
Here’s a fabulous opportunity to see a super-slim crescent Moon next to Saturn, the ringed planet. However, you will have to get up early (ish). Be up and looking to the east-southeast about 45 minutes before sunrise where you are and you’ll see a slim 7%-lit crescent Moon just 3.6° from Saturn. You’ll find it most easily with binoculars (but put them away before sunrise—they’re become very dangerous if pointed at the Sun).
You’ll find the Beehive Cluster, using binoculars, between Gemini (Castor and Pollux) and Leo.
Object of the week: Beehive Cluster
Although the faint constellation it’s home to is not much to speak of, Cancer “the crab” is where you’ll find the Beehive Cluster (M44), one of the nearest open clusters to Earth and a beautiful sight in binoculars.
Also called Praesepe (meaning “manger” in Latin), this group of stars about 580 light-years distant can be seen with the naked eye in a very dark sky. However, the best way to see it in light-polluted cities is to use binoculars, through which you’ll see about 60 stars.
Times and dates given apply to mid-northern latitudes. For the most accurate location-specific information consult online planetariums like Stellarium and The Sky Live. Check planet-rise/planet-set, sunrise/sunset and moonrise/moonset times for where you are.
Wishing you clear skies and wide eyes.
